Welcome guide
DCU is now Irelands’ fastest growing university with 2017 seeing the completion of a significant transformation programme for the University, with the full incorporation of St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra (SPD), Mater Dei Institute of Education (MDI) and Church of Ireland College of Education (CICE) within DCU. Accordingly, DCU Open Day activities will take place across both the Glasnevin and St Patrick’s campuses as outlined below. They will be hosting Open Day activities in the new Student Centre on the DCU Glasnevin campus.
In addition to 6 degree courses in Education delivered by the DCU Institute of Education, the DCU Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is now offering 13 subjects on the Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours degree. These DCU courses are adding to the more than 70 courses being offered to over 17,000 students across five faculties: DCU Business School, Engineering and Computing, Humanities and Social Sciences, DCU Institute of Education, and Science and Health.
The Glasnevin campus will be open to the public on Friday, 16th November 2018 between 10:00am and 3:00pm and on Saturday, 17th November 2018 between 10:00am and 2:00pm.
St Patrick’s Campus
The St Patrick’s campus will be open to the public only on Saturday, 17th November 2018 between 9:30am and 2:30pm.*
* Please note that information on Education courses will be available on the Glasnevin campus on BOTH Friday, 16th and Saturday, 17th November 2018.
Complimentary Bus to St Patrick’s Campus
A complimentary bus from the Glasnevin campus to the St Patrick’s campus will depart from outside the Helix on a rolling basis on BOTH Friday, 16th November and Saturday, 17th November. As the St Patrick’s campus is only open to the public on Saturday, 17th November, this will enable students to have the opportunity to visit the St Patrick’s campus on Friday, 16th November, take a 40 minute tour of the campus and be brought back to the Helix for pick up.
All Hallows Campus
Students taking the BA Arts (Joint Honours) degree may have lectures on the All Hallows campus. There will be an opportunity to visit the All Hallows campus on both days. Tours to the All Hallows campus will depart from the St Patrick’s campus at 11:30am and 12.30pm
What To Expect
DCU Open Days are open to all 6th year, 5th year and transition year students, prospective mature students, guidance counsellors, teachers and parents. These Open Days will help your students to decide if DCU is right for them. Students will be able to get a feel for what it means to be a DCU undergraduate.
At DCU’s Open Days, your students can:
• Explore the campuses and facilities and get a taste of student life.
• Attend course information talks to find out more about the degree they would like to study.
• Meet current students and members of academic staff.
Course Presentations
There are a number of information sessions that will take place on both campuses. DCU offers over 70 undergraduate degree courses in Business, Engineering, Arts, Humanities, Education, Science, Health and Computing. The presentations will cover course content, choices within degrees, the differences between similar degree courses, work placements and career prospects. Each presentation will be 30-45 minutes in duration and will be repeated throughout each day. A full timetable will be available online 3 weeks before the open days.
The Parent’s Perspective
Parents play a key role in supporting their son/daughter throughout both their decision-making process and life at university. This advisory session, presented by DCU Student Support and Development, will provide guidance to parents on how they should approach their son/daughter’s path to third-level education. It will examine the costs involved in attending college and also the supports available to students. Furthermore, it will highlight what parents should look out for and how to tackle any issues that may arise.
Student Life at DCU
This talk will be delivered by the Students’ Union and will look at everything your student needs to know on how best to transition into university life. DCU students will discuss student life because going to university means more than just attending classes – it’s also about time-management, increased personal responsibility and social challenges such as making new friends and getting involved in sports, clubs and societies. The Students’ Union will offer sound advice on successfully making that transition.
Sport and Elite Sport Opportunities in DCU
At DCU they believe in a ‘Sport for All’ philosophy. Why? Because developing as an individual is not just about books and learning and that’s why they:
- Promote participation in sport
- Encourage the development of sports clubs
- Support elite sportspersons
Disability and Learning Support Service
The Disability and Learning Support Service will be hosting an information session on admission routes and supports available for prospective students, parents and guidance counsellors.
What’s happening on the Glasnevin campus!
The Exhibition Area is located in the student centre the ‘U” with Information Points for you to ask questions or to find out more about DCU. Students will have an opportunity to meet representatives from the following areas:
• Student Support and Development • Careers Service
• Sports • Sport Scholarships • Accommodation
• Admissions • Mature Student Information • Disability and Learning Support Service
• Access Service • DCU Business School • Faculty of Science and Health
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences * • DCU Institute of Education
• Faculty of Engineering and Computing • International Office • DCU Connected – Online Education
* Information on the Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours course will be presented on both the St Patrick’s and the Glasnevin campuses
So whether your students have questions about what career a DCU degree can direct them towards, sports scholarships or work placement opportunities, make sure they stop by the Exhibition Area. Academic and support staff will be available in the Exhibition Area to offer individual advice and to answer specific queries about courses.
Course Presentations
Presentations will cover course content and choices within degrees. Presentations will be repeated throughout the day and a full timetable will be available closer to the date.
Guidance Counsellor Seminar
On Friday 16th November, you are invited to an information session that will provide you with up-to-date information about new courses and developments at DCU. You will also have the opportunity to meet informally with academics and Student Support and Development staff.
Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival and you are welcome to attend a buffet lunch immediately following your welcome session. Please feel free to invite your colleagues to attend this briefing. You can register your attendance ONLINE.
Explore the Glasnevin Campus
It is important that your students get a feel for the Glasnevin campus. DCU Student Ambassadors will provide guided tours of campus, which will take place at regular intervals throughout Friday and Saturday. Highlights include, student accommodation*, our award winning sports centre and the beautiful three-storey John and Ailleen O’Reilly Library.
*Please note that specific tours of student accommodation will start from near Accommodation information stand located in the exhibition area of the student centre the ‘U’.
Tours of the Glasnevin campus will depart from the ‘DCU Letters’ opposite the main entrance of The Helix at 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm and 2:00pm – the tour will take approximately 40 minutes.
Complimentary Bus to St Patrick’s Campus
A complimentary bus from the Glasnevin campus to the St Patrick’s campus will depart from outside the Helix on a rolling basis on BOTH Friday, 16th November and Saturday, 17th November. As the St Patrick’s campus is only open to the public on Saturday, 17th November, this will enable students to have the opportunity to visit the St Patrick’s campus on Friday, 16th November, take a 40 minute tour of the campus and be brought back to the Helix for pick up. The last bus to depart the St Patrick’s campus will be at 2:30pm on Friday, 16th November and 2pm Saturday, 17th November.
Subject Specific Tours
Faculties will offer tours and/or demonstrations in their laboratories and lecture theatres. More information can be obtained at their talks and in the exhibition area.
Information Points
To help and assist you and your students, there will be two Open Day Information Points on the Glasnevin campus for enquiries. The first will be located in the foyer of the Research and Engineering Building, which is accessed via the Collins Avenue entrance. The second will be in the Exhibition Area, which is located in student centre the ‘U’. At the Information Points, copies of the Prospectus and the Open Day Guide highlighting the location and times of course presentations, and map of the Glasnevin campus will be given to you and your students.
On the day, look out for the Student Ambassadors and members of staff who will be pleased to help you and direct to the Open Day Information Points.
Parking
If you are coming by coach (Coach Parking TBC), please ask the coach driver to drop you and your students at the Collins Avenue Entrance. To ensure your smooth arrival, the staff would appreciate it if you could indicate how you will be travelling to Open Days on the Event Booking Form.
Please note that the Glasnevin campus is well serviced by public transport and they have a number of NEW transport links to DCU. These links and directions to the Glasnevin campus can be found at HERE.
If travelling by car, please park in Car Park 1 – the multi-storey car park, which is the first building on the right hand side (after the small roundabout) – please use the Collins Avenue entrance for access to the multi-storey car park.
Catering Facilities
Light refreshments will be available to purchase. There will be a selection of hot food, drinks (including Starbucks in-house coffee) and snacks to purchase in the main Student Restaurant, located between Albert College and the Henry Grattan Building; and from Zest Café located in the Foyer of the University Sports Complex. The Spar supermarket will also be open.
Booking Form
All Schools must register to attend Open Days. Please click here to register your school group.
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